Category Archives: By Genre

MMGM Review: From the Desk of Lizzie Lazowski by Melody J. Bremen

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From the Desk of Lizzie Lazowski by Melanie Bremen

From the Desk of Lizzie Lazowski
Melody J. Bremen
Published August 20, 2024

Amazon | Goodreads

About From the Desk of Lizzie Lazowski

When 8th grader Lizzie Lazowski receives a pen pal assignment, she puts her letter into a bottle and throws it into the ocean. A few days later, she receives an anonymous response in her mailbox. She continues to write to her mystery pen pal, answering prompts like what’s your favorite food (milkshakes), and who is your best friend (she doesn’t have one at the moment).

Through her letters, she tells about her biggest dream: to secure a spot at Northcrest High School for the Arts. If she submits a creative project—a true story about one person—she can win a scholarship. And Chloe, the new girl at school, just might be the one to help her complete the project (and maybe even fill the best friend role).

As the deadline for the scholarship draws near, her project flops and her budding friendship goes horribly wrong. All she has is the help of a mystery pen pal to put her life back on track.

This companion novel to The Boy Who Painted the World delivers a story about friendship, forgiveness, and self-discovery.

My Review

I really enjoyed this one. The story is told through emails between thirteen-year-old Lizzie and an anonymous pen pal as well as text message conversations and video transcripts. This made it seem like the story moved pretty quickly. The letters remain mostly pretty short, and they’re filled with funny moments and quippy phrases.

We learn that Lizzie’s pen pal (an adult) has permission from Lizzie’s mom to correspond with her, but until the end of the book, Lizzie doesn’t know the identity of her mystery friend. She learns a lot through the messages back and forth. Sometimes just writing out her thoughts helps her sort through how she feels, which I found pretty relatable! Haha.

Lizzie’s mom has been in a long-term relationship, and Lizzie’s feelings about the relationship and possible changes to her family also drive some of the story. She has pretty mixed feelings, which I also found realistic and understandable.

If you like stories about intergenerational friendships and unexpected connections, I definitely recommend this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Major characters are white. One character is disabled after having had polio as a child. Lizzie’s dad died while serving in the military when Lizzie was three. Lizzie is a cancer survivor.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.

Review: This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

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This Day Changes Everything
Edward Underhill
Wednesday Books
Published February 13, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About This Day Changes Everything

Dash & Lily meets Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in Edward Underhill’s new whirlwind rom-com about two queer teens who spend one life-changing day together in New York City.

Abby Akerman believes in the Universe. After all, her Midwest high school marching band is about to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City—if that’s not proof that magical things can happen, what is? New York also happens to be the setting of her favorite romance novel, making it the perfect place for Abby to finally tell her best friend Kat that she’s in love with her (and, um, gay). She’s carefully annotated a copy of the book as a gift for Kat, and she’s counting on the Universe to provide an Epic Scene worthy of her own rom-com.

Leo Brewer, on the other hand, just wants to get through this trip without falling apart. He doesn’t believe the Universe is magical at all, mostly because he’s about to be outed to his very Southern extended family on national TV as the trans boy he really is. He’s not excited for the parade, and he’s even less excited for an entire day of sightseeing with his band.

But the Universe has other ideas. When fate throws Abby and Leo together on the wrong subway train, they soon find themselves lost in the middle of Manhattan. Even worse, Leo accidentally causes Abby to lose her Epic Gift for Kat. So to salvage the day, they come up with a new mission: find a souvenir from every location mentioned in the book for Abby to give Kat instead. But as Leo and Abby traverse the city, from the streets of Chinatown to the halls of Grand Central Station and the top of the Empire State Building, their initial expectations for the trip—and of each other—begin to shift. Maybe, if they let it, this could be the day that changes everything, for both of them.

My Review

I enjoyed Edward Underhill’s debut novel, but this one is my favorite of the two. It has so many fun references to New York City, marching band nerdiness, and a celebration of books and fanfiction. I had a lot of fun reading this one.

The story alternates between Abby and Leo’s points of view, so we get to watch them get to know one another and learn to read one another as they experience a wild “lost in New York” kind of adventure. Abby’s relationship with Leo starts out as a bond between people who got on the wrong train, but it becomes so much more. I thought the pacing of the relationship was really nicely done.

Abby loves a romance novel set in New York and wants to celebrate her love for the book on her trip to the city. She thinks about the scenes in the book set in different places and wants to capture the magic of reading the book and falling in love, but things keep unfolding in ways that are at odds with her plans. I liked the way she and Leo navigated the unexpected moments.

Both Leo and Abby are from marching band groups that visit New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I’ve never read a book with that kind of plot before, and I felt like this one did really capture both the essence of marching band rehearsal and what I imagine the parade is like.

I think the only thing odd about this book is the timing of the release date. It came out in February. Because of the story centering around the Thanksgiving Parade, I would have thought it would come out in the fall or closer to the holidays.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book so much. It’s got lots of sweet moments and fun antics. If you love visiting New York City, this is definitely one to put in your reading list!

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Main characters are white. One close friend is Black. Another is Asian American. One main character is a trans boy. The other has questions about her sexual identity.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used somewhat frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl.

Spiritual Content
When something goes right or wrong, Abby comments that the Universe is sending her a message either supporting or redirecting her.

Violent Content
A few people misgender Leo. A school policy won’t allow him to be roommates with the other boys. Leo’s parents don’t want him to tell his extended family about his identity and instead expect him to tolerate being misgendered and deadnamed at family events.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of THIS DAY CHANGES EVERYTHING in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Review: The Getaway List by Emma Lord

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The Getaway List
Emma Lord
Wednesday Books
Published January 23, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Getaway List

The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future.

Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.

Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

My Review

I started reading this book while I was standing in line at the pharmacy, and I found myself a little bit disappointed when it was finally my turn at the pickup window– I wanted to keep reading.

Emma Lord’s books have historically been a win for me. I enjoy her quirky characters and the development of the romance, so I also went into this book expecting to enjoy it, and I did.

I liked the opening chapters, but once Riley got to New York and connected with a friend group, that’s when the story really took off for me. At first, I wasn’t sure about bringing in all those extra people. I found myself really invested in Riley and Tom and wanting to know what would happen between the two of them, and I worried that additional characters would distract from the two of them. And they do, a bit.

But they’re such fun characters, and those relationships help Riley reconnect with herself, learn to trust her instincts, and imagine what kind of life she wants for herself for the first time in years. Riley has a complex relationship with her mom, and I loved the way that was handled. It felt real, and Riley’s mom’s behavior made sense, considering her own background and backstory, but it still wasn’t what Riley hoped to or needed to hear at times.

The romance is a bit of a slow burn. I loved that. I also loved the way that Riley’s understanding of her relationship with Tom evolved as the story progressed. That felt pretty real, too.

All in all, I’m calling THE GETAWAY LIST another win. It’s a really fun, New York-centered slow-burn romance. Definitely worth checking out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Two boys (minor characters) are/have been dating.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used pretty frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between two boys. Kissing between a boy and girl.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of THE GETAWAY LIST in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Review: Tales of Ancient Egypt by Hugo D. Cook and Sona Avedikian

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Tales of Ancient Egypt
Hugo D. Cook
Illustrated by Sona Avedikian
Neon Squid
Published October 1, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Tales of Ancient Egypt

Discover amazing true stories and breathtaking myths from ancient Egypt in this book by TikTok Egyptologist Hugo Cook, featuring stunning illustrations from Sona Avedikian.

Everyone knows the story of Tutankhamun, but the ancient Egyptian civilization lasted for more than 3,000 years – which means there are loads more amazing tales to be told! Egyptologist and TikTok star Hugo Cook (aka Hugo the Egyptologist) has scoured ancient texts and translated hieroglyphs to bring readers stories of love, betrayal, and royal scandal featuring pharaohs, priests, gods, and goddesses.

The book combines historical stories, including the time Cleopatra hid in a sack to be smuggled into a palace to meet Julius Caesar, with rip-roaring myths, like the Cinderella story of a peasant girl who married the pharaoh when he found her slipper.

Told with great fun and impeccably researched, readers will slip into a tomb at night with a band of mischievous tomb robbers and witness epic battles featuring elephants and ostriches. Interspersed through the stories are pages explaining the history of ancient Egypt on the banks of the Nile, from how pyramids were built to a step-by-step guide to wrapping a mummy.

With a beautiful cloth-textured cover featuring shiny foil, Tales of Ancient Egypt is the perfect gift for kids interested in ancient Egypt.

My Review

My older daughter would have absolutely loved this book when she was in later elementary school. She had a couple of books on mythology and folklore, but we didn’t have anything on ancient Egypt.

Almost all the stories or fact collections are limited to a single spread, which makes this book easy to read even for readers intimidated by its size (the hardcover edition is 9.25″ x 11.25″ and 151 pages). Each spread shows brightly colored illustrations featuring characters with expressive faces. The backmatter includes a glossary and a list of deities. One of the things I wish it also included are some recommendations for further reading.

The book includes both historical accounts and facts as well as mythological tales. Myths are labeled as such to avoid any confusion. I liked the mix of the two as they often added context to one another. For example, the story of Khaemweset includes some factual information as context and then transitions to the myths about him.

This is a book that kids interested in mythology or history will enjoy. The format makes the information easily accessible and entertaining while offering many cool historical tidbits. I can see this being a book that I give for Christmas this year.

Content Notes for Tales of Ancient Egypt

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Stories feature characters from Egyptian mythology, famous ancient Egyptians, and facts about ancient Egyptian life.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to love and romantic partnership.

Spiritual Content
Contains stories of Egyptian mythology and ancient Egypt’s pantheon of gods. Some mythological stories contain characters who perform magic or sorcery.

Violent Content
Stories contain situations of peril and brief references to murder or attempted murder, especially via poison or stabbing. One illustration shows a wincing Cleopatra allowing a snake to bite her hand. No gory descriptions. Brief description of the process of mummification. Someone tells a man to throw murder his children, and he tosses them out a high window. Later, he realizes this was a nightmare. Crocodiles devour an army trying to cross the Nile.

Drug Content
References to drinking beer. Several instances of death by poisoning.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment
Arushi Avachat
Wednesday Books
Published January 9, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment

A sparkling debut rom-com about a high school senior whose life suddenly gets a Bollywood spin when her sister gets engaged.

Shaadi preparations are in full swing, which means lehenga shopping, taste testing, dance rehearsals, and best of all, Arya’s sister Alina is home. The Khannas are together again, finally, and Arya wants to enjoy it. So she stifles her lingering resentment towards Alina, plays mediator during her sister’s fights with their mother, and welcomes her future brother-in-law with open arms. (Okay, maybe enjoy isn’t exactly right.)

Meanwhile at school, Arya’s senior year dreams are unraveling. In between class and her part-time gig as a bookshop assistant, Arya struggles to navigate the aftermath of a bad breakup between her two best friends and a tense student council partnership with her rival, the frustratingly attractive Dean Merriweather.

Arya is determined to keep the peace at home and at school, but this shaadi season teaches Arya new realities: Alina won’t always be in the bedroom down the hall, Mamma’s sadness isn’t mendable, friendships must evolve, and life doesn’t always work out like her beloved Bollywood movies. But sometimes, the person you least expect will give you a glimpse of your dream sequence just when you need it most.

Structured like a Bollywood film (entertaining intermission included!) Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment will make you swoon, laugh, cry, think, nod your head in agreement, and quite possibly make you get up and dance.

My Review

I needed this book so much. It’s got so much energy and this smart, vibrant voice. I love Arya. She’s fun and thoughtful. Her mom seems to be experiencing some depression, and Arya isn’t sure how to deal with it or even really how to identify it. She thinks her older sister coming home and being nicer to her mom will make her mom’s sadness go away. Her older sister has a different perspective, so when they finally talk about it directly, some sparks fly. Sisters, ha.

Seriously, though, I liked Arya’s relationship with her sister, Alina. It was nuanced and complex—close but with tangles and secrets. I loved the scenes between them as much as any other scene in the book.

I also had a great time reading the scenes with Arya and Dean, her rival and possible new crush. The banter between those two! Whew. So much fun.

All in all, reading this book is such a fabulous time. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good rom-com, especially one with great dialog.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Representation
Arya’s family is Indian American.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl.

Spiritual Content
References to Hindi services and traditions for holidays and weddings.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of ARYA KHANNA’S BOLLYWOOD MOMENT in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Review: Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho

Book Review and Content, Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

Aisle Nine
Ian X. Cho
HarperCollins
Published September 24, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Aisle Nine

“It’s Black Friday—and the apocalypse is on sale!

Ever since the world filled with portals to hell and bloodthirsty demons started popping out on the reg, Jasper’s life has gotten worse and worse. A teenage nobody with no friends or family, he is plagued by the life he can’t remember and the person he’s sure he’s supposed to be.

Jasper spends his days working as a checkout clerk at the Here For You discount mart, where a hell portal in aisle nine means danger every shift. But at least here he can be near the girl he’s crushing on—Kyle Kuan, a junior member of the monster-fighting Vanguard—who seems to hate Jasper for reasons he can’t remember or understand.

But when Jasper and Kyle learn they both share a frightening vision of the impending apocalypse, they’re forced to team up and uncover the uncomfortable truth about the hell portals and the demons that haunt the world. Because the true monsters are not always what they seem, the past is not always what we wish, and like it or not, on Black Friday, all hell will break loose in aisle nine.

Perfect for fans of Grasshopper Jungle or The Last of Us comes Aisle Nine, the debut young adult novel from rising YA star lan X. Cho.

My Review

Reading a book about the apocalypse that’s weird and funny was a lot of fun. This isn’t the kind of book I’d normally find myself drawn to. The balance of humor and high-stakes drama of the apocalypse definitely had me intrigued.

Jasper’s amnesia made him an interesting character in that he continued to look for clues about his previous life. His nightmares about the portals, his relationship with Lara, the cat-who-is-not-a-cat, and his awkward connection to Kyle offer a lot of threads for him to unravel as the story progresses.

While some of the moments of tension resolve quickly, the story rockets Jasper into one dangerous situation after another. I found it easy to keep reading from one chapter to another. The book is also on the shorter side of young adult fantasy, at 260 pages.

I think readers who enjoy apocalyptic stories paired with humor, especially in the cast of goofy characters, will love this one. It reminds me of the end-of-the-world movies from the 90s.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Representation
Kyle’s parents are from Taiwan.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Some f-bombs and profanity used fairly frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl.

Spiritual Content
Portals from the abyss have opened up at various points worldwide. These are often referred to as portals from hell, and the monsters that emerge are referred to as demons. Four powerful beings are referred to as the horsemen (a reference to the four horsemen of the apocalypse from the Bible.) Beyond the use of those names, there’s no real connection to Christian theology.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Some scenes include graphic violence as monsters attack people and soldiers fight back. The monsters sometimes have an almost comical appearance. At other times, they more closely resemble nightmare material.

Drug Content
In one scene, a mercenary reports that soldiers are often required to take medication meant to combat narcolepsy when they work long shifts. Someone else takes it to stay awake while they work.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.